Basingstoke RFC chairman Steve Tristram has paid tribute to long-standing supporter Cliff Jones, who lost his fight with cancer last weekend.

Jones, who was 57, passed away last Saturday. He supported the team home and away and volunteered in the club’s shop at their Down Grange base.

Tristram said: “Cliff was involved with the club for longer than I can remember. He continued to give up his time, even when he was going through some fairly unpleasant treatment.

“He missed very few games and was very popular with the players. They insisted that he come on to the pitch and have his picture taken with them at the end of the Hampshire Cup final this year.

“He was part of the fabric of the club, always there and willing to help out. He will be very much missed by everyone at Basingstoke RFC and his family are in our thoughts at this difficult time.”